Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
रात्रौ त्वं सीतया सार्धं संयतः सुव्रतो भव राज्ञश् च मन्त्रिणश्चाष्टौ सवसिष्ठास् तथाब्रुवन्
rātrau tvaṃ sītayā sārdhaṃ saṃyataḥ suvrato bhava rājñaś ca mantriṇaścāṣṭau savasiṣṭhās tathābruvan
«Ночью, вместе с Ситой, будь сдержан и соблюдай превосходный обет». Так сказали Васиштха вместе с царём и восемью министрами.
Vasiṣṭha (with the king and eight ministers/counselors)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Personal discipline for rulers: night-time restraint, vrata-like conduct, and governance through counsel of purohita and ministers.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Raja-Niyama: Ratri-Samyama and Mantri-Parishad Counsel","lookup_keywords":["ratri-samyama","suvrata","Sita-sahita","Vasistha","ashta-mantrin"],"quick_summary":"A ruler should maintain disciplined conduct (especially in private hours) and act in alignment with the purohita and a structured council of ministers."}
Concept: Indriya-nigraha (self-control) as the foundation of rajadharma; governance as guided by guru and collective counsel.
Application: Leaders should set personal boundaries, maintain ethical routines, and institutionalize decision-making via trusted councils.
Khanda Section: Ramopakhyana / Itihasa-narrative (Dharma and royal counsel)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Shringara
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vasistha advising Rama: maintain restraint at night with Sita; king and eight ministers present in a formal council setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Vasistha with white beard and staff, Rama and Sita seated modestly, Dasharatha and eight ministers in symmetrical rows, warm lamp-lit night ambience, stylized lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vasistha central with gold halo, Rama-Sita attentive, ministers flanking, rich gold ornamentation, palace interior with lamps indicating night discipline.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic council scene, emphasis on gestures of instruction and attentive listening, soft lighting, detailed faces and textiles.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate night-council with oil lamps, Vasistha instructing, Rama and Sita composed, ministers seated on carpets, architectural niches and fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रिणश्चाष्टौ = मन्त्रिणः + च + अष्टौ; सवसिष्ठास् = स + वसिष्ठाः; तथाब्रुवन् = तथा + अब्रुवन्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: ministerial council and king’s daily regimen; Agni Purana Dharma passages on vrata/samyama
FAQs
It imparts practical dharmic discipline (saṃyama) and suvrata observance—an instruction in ethical self-restraint rather than a specialized ritual or medical procedure.
Alongside ritual, tantra, medicine, and warfare, the Agni Purana also preserves rajadharma and conduct-literature; this verse exemplifies governance-oriented moral counsel delivered through an Itihasa-style narrative frame.
Nighttime restraint and disciplined observance are presented as protective dharma: they curb sense-impulses, preserve moral purity, and support merit (puṇya) through controlled conduct.